On Tuesday, Kgotso Khumalo, the NW405 executive mayor started the oversight programme in Ikageng, visiting six sites and commanding the managers, project managers and engineers to resolve the problems.

The first site visit was to the manhole in Bathoeng Street that was caused by storm water and has been there for four months. According to the officials on the site, the problems were the result of poor workmanship. The value of the project was R2.5 million and the delegation promised to bring the contractor to book.The next stop was Poortjie Dam in Promosa where the deputy city engineer in the infrastructure department, Mike Maki, found that rocks and bricks had blocked the sewer and caused sewage to overflow into the dam and next to the road. ‘We don’t expect this one to block again,’ said the mayor optimistically.

 

From there, they went to a site where the sewer reticulation project has ground to a halt.

‘We were supposed to build a pump station and connect four kilometres of pipeline to provide bulk services for about 500 stands for the Marikana community. We had to suspend the project, however, because the workers discovered explosives on the site. The Department of Labour told us to stop for the safety of the community and the contractors,’ said Aubrey Ramavhuya. Khumalo promised to engage with the army to sweep the area.

The other problems that the mayor encountered are the sewage spills in some of the yards in Ext. 3 Promosa. These were caused by diapers and cloth blocking the sewer. According to one of the residents, Tumelo Moholeng, this has been an ongoing problem since 2014. Shortly after the infrastructure department unblocks the line, it starts all over again.

Jim Khonoi’s electricity box is situated outside of his shack. ‘I always have to cover this box for fear of being electrocuted when it rains,’ he said. The deputy engineer immediately ordered the municipal workers to move the box inside the dwelling.

The mayor also undertook to address the dumping site eyesores and deal with the former ward councillors who had allocated land to themselves while they were serving on the council. This land has since been left unattended and has given rise to dumping sites.

Khumalo says this oversight will be done on a monthly basis and will be coming to town, Ventersdorp, Tshing and other areas in the municipality.